In a wild fight Fernando Vargas lost to Richardo Mayorga by a 12-round majority decision on November 23, 2007 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Vargas was down for an 8 count in the 1st round and on the canvas again in the 11th round. Vargas rallied late in round three and hurt Mayorga. Now into the fight Vargas lands some of his best shots in the 6th and 9th rounds. Vargas was leading on two of the three judge's scorecards up to the 11th round knockdown which turned the tables enough for Mayorga to win. This was Vargas's 3rd loss in a row. He had two loses to Shane Mosley prior to stepping into the ring with Mayorga. Vargas, a man of his word said after the fight as he had previously said that this was his last fight.
| Fight | Location | Date | Boxing Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vargas vs TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Fernando "Ferocious" Vargas
In 1994 in St Louis, Missouri, Fernando Vargas became the youngest boxer ever to win the US Junior Championships at 132 lbs when he won the 132 lb Gold Medal at the now defunct United States Olympic Festival (USOF). Although Vargas lost a controversial decision in the 2nd round of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta he compiled an impressive amateur record of 100-5. On September 22 2007 in Studio City, California, Vargas was inducteed into the boxer category of the 2007 Californa Boxing Hall of Fame.
In Vargas' pro debut on March 25, 1977 at 20 years old Vargas KOd boxer Jorge Morales in 56 seconds of round one. Having fought only 14 pro fights, on December 12, 1998 in Atlantic City Vargas became the youngest junior middleweight champion in division's history taking the IBF light middleweight title from Yori Boy Campas who quit in his corner after round seven.
Other career defining winning fights for Vargas include beating Raul Marquez on July 17, 1999 by a 11-round TKO (October 16 Vargas wins the World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHOF) 1999 "Fighter of the Year" Award), beating Winky Wright on December 4, 1999 by a 12-round majority decision and beating Ike Quartey on April 15, 2000 by a 12-round unanimous decision. Losses for Vargas include his loss to Felix Trinidad on December 2, 2000 by a 12-round TKO, loss to Oscar De La Hoya on September 14, 2002 by a 11-round TKO, losses to Shane Mosley on February 25, 2006 by 10-round TKO and July 15, 2006 by 6-round TKO. Interestingly almost every time Vargas has been knocked down in a fight its been by a left hook.
Ringside Las Vegas: Fernando Vargas lost to Shane Mosley on February 25, 2006 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas by TKO in the 10th round. Vargas' left eye swelled up like a balloon after being caught by a Mosley overhand right in the 1st round. Vargas found range and nailed Mosley with a left hook in the 4th, right hand to the head in the 5th and 6th and a couple of good left right combinations in the 7th. Vargas was more than willing to continue the fight but referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight under the premise that Vargas was unable to clearly see punches headed for the left side of his face as Mosley continued to target the eye. Vargas' eye did look hideous all swelled up like cyclops.
Vargas-Mayorga Prefight Rumble
Vargas and Mayorga get into a prefight rumble during a press conference on August 10, 2007. Vargas ends up with a cut on his hand and Mayorga a cut over his left eye and a bloody lip.
Vargas vs Mayorga - Rounds 1-3
Vargas vs Mayorga Rounds 4-6
Vargas vs Mayorga Round 9